Tucker Parks and Recreation is more than summer camp and Tuckercise for seniors. The biggest task as a department is to create innovative and safe outdoor spaces for the citizens of Tucker. The City is always upgrading, fixing and adding to our parks’ infrastructure and offerings. After a year of public input and various meetings there are several projects lined up for the coming year in quite a few of our parks including Johns Homestead, Fitzgerald Park and Sports Complex and the new park off Main Street in the heart of Tucker.
Fitzgerald Park and Sports Complex is in its second phase of renovations. Phase 1 was completed this summer and the majority of it was an upgrade to the water and sewer systems. Phase II will focus on a turf field, new lighting, parking and facilities. These additions are what will make Fitzgerald the City’s first sports complex and will provide a safe playing environment for the community.
Johns Homestead has been in need of a dam overhaul and general renovations for years. This historic park has had flooding and severe erosion problems for decades and these projects are vital to the safety and well-being of our neighboring residents and our resident wildlife. The project consultant provided an update at the August 28 meeting, if you would like to view it just click on the date and go to the agenda tuckerga.gov/documents. As this project progresses, we will be keeping you informed via our social media and a dedicated project page on our website like you have seen with other City projects.
This project will address the dangerous situation of the dams and the side channel on the Edinburgh Estates side. The replacement of the dams will require the draining of both lakes during construction. This is necessary due to the complete removal and replacement of the dams. As stated in the presentation on August 28, the upper dam covers a substantial sewer line for the neighboring community and presents a dangerous situation. There are also major renovations being made to the lower dam that require this step as well. It would be impossible to rebuild these dams without draining the lakes.
These lakes have always been a very popular fishing hole and we are trying to address the ecological situation and impact from draining the lakes upfront. One step we are taking, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, is the upcoming Fishing Derby. The hope is to remove as many fish as possible before having the lakes drained. There will also be two native plant rescues facilitated by the Georgia Native Plant Society. In the coming months we will be reaching out to the Friends of Johns Homestead Park to coordinate additional community and volunteer events to mitigate the impacts to existing flora and fauna.
The renovation project will be lengthy and will certainly disrupt the use of the park. However, the direct impact on the surrounding community will be limited, mostly with equipment and materials being delivered and picked up. Once construction begins, the City will coordinate closely with the general contractor to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The remainder of the improvements to Johns Homestead and Twin Brothers Lake include new access points, bridges, trail enhancements, bird blinds, an orienteering course and educational signage. There will also be some additional parking, lower lake fishing access with the addition of a boardwalk with viewing and direct water access, removal of invasive plants and replacement with native plantings in and around the lakes.
The downtown park is still in the engineering and design phase but the most recent update from Barge in September was exciting to see. This space, in the heart of Tucker, will be an amazing gathering place for festivals and events.
Be sure you are following Tucker Parks and Rec on Facebook and Instagram and check the website for updates as well.
